Bacterial Taxonomy
Research Lines
Content with Investigacion .
Hepatitis
- Diseño de métodos diagnósticos para el estudio de los virus de las hepatitis (VH) A, B, C, D, E: Diseñamos sistemas de PCR para su detección y caracterización.
- Evaluación de métodos diagnósticos de los VH. Colaboramos con empresas para estudios de sensibilidad y especificidad de equipos diagnósticos.
- Estudios de Seroprevalencia de los virus de las hepatitis.
- Epidemiología genómica de genomas completos de VHA, VHB, VHC, VHD y VHE en colaboración con el ECDC. Estudios de trazabilidad del VHE.
- Caracterización molecular de virus de las hepatitis mediante secuenciación masiva: a) VHB: mutantes de escape HBsAg (prevalencia y efectos en la detección del HBsAg). Estudio de mutaciones en epítopos de estimulación inmune y mutaciones asociadas a evolución clínica desfavorable.
- b) VHC: resistencias a los antivirales de acción directa. Análisis molecular de subtipos poco frecuentes.
c) Estudios filogenéticos del VHD.
d) Análisis genómico del VHE.
e) Investigación etiológica de hepatitis no filiadas mediante estudios de metagenómica.
- b) VHC: resistencias a los antivirales de acción directa. Análisis molecular de subtipos poco frecuentes.
Research projects
Content with Investigacion .
1. Proyecto CIBEREPS 2022. Microbiological and genomic investigation of hepatitis in children by metagenomic approach in case and control subjects (IP: Ana Avellón).
2023-2024. En colaboración con el Hospital San Joan de Deu de Barcelona.
2. MPY 501-19: Tracking hepatitis E virus infection by means of epidemiological research and whole genome sequencing. Project TrazHE. (IP: Ana Avellón). 2020-2024.
3. Proyecto CIBEREPS 2021 Metagenomic sequencing to identify viral aetiologies in undiagnosed paediatric cases of meningitis and encephalitis (IP: D. Tarragó). 2021-2022.
4. MPY 383/19 (PEJ2018-004446-A). Ayudas para la promoción de empleo joven e implantación de la garantía juvenil en I+D+I. análisis de la complejidad de secuencias de los virus de la hepatitis A, B, C; D y E (VHA, VHB, VHC, VHD y VHE) mediante técnicas de secuenciación masiva. (IP: Ana Avellón). 2020-2021.
5. MPY 1285/16 Movilidad "Salvador de Madariaga" programa estatal de promoción de talento y su empleabilidad. (IP: Ana Avellón). 2016.
Publications
Outbreak of brainstem encephalitis associated with enterovirus-A71 in Catalonia, Spain (2016): a clinical observational study in a children’s reference centre in Catalonia
6. D Casas-Alba, M de Sevilla, A Valero-Rello, C Fortuny, JJ Garcia, C Ortez, J Muchart, T Armangue, I Jordan, C Luaces-Cubells, I Barrabeig, R González-Sanz, M Cabrerizo, C Munoz-Almagro, C Launes. Outbreak of brainstem encephalitis associated with enterovirus-A71 in Catalonia, Spain (2016): a clinical observational study in a children’s reference centre in Catalonia. Clin Microbiol Infect 23: 874-881 (2017)
PUBMED DOIMolecular epidemiology of enterovirus and parechovirus infections according to patient age over a 4-year period in Spain.
7. M Cabrerizo*, M Díaz-Cerio, C Muñoz-Almagro, N Rabella, D Tarragó, MP Romero, MJ Pena, C Calvo, S Rey-Cao, A Moreno-Docón, I Martínez-Rienda, A Otero, G Trallero. Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus and parechovirus infections according to patient age over a 4-year period in Spain. J Med Virol 89: 435-442 (2017).
PUBMED DOIMolecular epidemiology of enterovirus 71, coxsackievirus A16 and A6 associated with hand, foot and mouth disease in Spain
9. M Cabrerizo*, D Tarragó, C Muñóz-Almagro, E del Amo, M Domínguez-Gil, JM Eiros, I López-Miragaya, C Pérez, J Reina, A Otero, I González, JE Echevarría, G Trallero. Molecular epidemiology of enterovirus 71, coxsackievirus A16 and A6 associated with hand, foot and mouth diease in Spain. Clin Microbiol Infect; 20: O150–O156 (2014).
PUBMED DOIImpact of pretransplant CMV-specific T-cell immune response in the control of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation: a prospective cohort study. Clin Microbiol Infect.
Molina-Ortega A, Martín-Gandul C, Mena-Romo JD, Rodríguez-Hernández MJ, Suñer M, Bernal C, Sánchez M, Sánchez-Céspedes J, Pérez Romero P*, Cordero E. Impact of pretransplant CMV-specific T-cell immune response in the control of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation: a prospective cohort study. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019 Jun;25(6):753-758.
PUBMED DOIKinetic of the CMV-specific T-cell immune response and CMV infection in CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients receiving rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin induction therapy: A pilot study.
Martín-Gandul C, Pérez-Romero P*, Mena-Romo D, Molina-Ortega A, González-Roncero FM, Suñer M, Bernal G, Cordero E; Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI). Kinetic of the CMV-specific T-cell immune response and CMV infection in CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients receiving rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin induction therapy: A pilot study. Transpl Infect Dis. 2018 Jun;20(3):e12883.
PUBMED DOICMV-specific T-cell immunity in solid organ transplant recipients at low risk of CMV infection. Chronology and applicability in preemptive therapy.
Mena-Romo JD, Pérez Romero P*, Martín-Gandul C, Gentil MÁ, Suárez-Artacho G, Lage E, Sánchez M, Cordero E. CMV-specific T-cell immunity in solid organ transplant recipients at low risk of CMV infection. Chronology and applicability in preemptive therapy. J Infect. 2017 Oct;75(4):336-345.
PUBMED DOITwo Doses of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Improve Immune Response in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Results of TRANSGRIPE 1-2, a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
Cordero E, Roca-Oporto C, Bulnes-Ramos A, Aydillo T, Gavaldà J, Moreno A, Torre-Cisneros J, Montejo JM, Fortun J, Muñoz P, Sabé N, Fariñas MC, Blanes-Julia M, López-Medrano F, Suárez-Benjumea A, Martinez-Atienza J, Rosso-Fernández C, Pérez-Romero P*. Two Doses of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Improve Immune Response in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Results of TRANSGRIPE 1-2, a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Apr 1;64(7):829-838.
PUBMED DOIApplying lessons learned from cytomegalovirus infection in transplant patients to vaccine design.
Blanco-Lobo P, Bulnes-Ramos Á, McConnell MJ, Navarro D, Pérez-Romero P*. Applying lessons learned from cytomegalovirus infection in transplant patients to vaccine design. Drug Discov Today. 2016 Apr;21(4):674-81.
PUBMED DOIUse of antibodies neutralizing epithelial cell infection to diagnose patients at risk for CMV Disease after transplantation.
Blanco-Lobo P, Cordero E, Martín-Gandul C, Gentil MA, Suárez-Artacho G, Sobrino M, Aznar J, Pérez-Romero P*. Use of antibodies neutralizing epithelial cell infection to diagnose patients at risk for CMV Disease after transplantation. J Infect. 2016 May;72(5):597-607.
PUBMED DOITiming of CMV-specific effector memory T cells predicts viral replication and survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Espigado I, de la Cruz-Vicente F, BenMarzouk-Hidalgo OJ, Gracia-Ahufinger I, Garcia-Lozano JR, Aguilar-Guisado M, Cisneros JM, Urbano-Ispizua A, Perez-Romero P*. Timing of CMV-specific effector memory T cells predicts viral replication and survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Transpl Int. 2014 Dec;27(12):1253-62.
PUBMED DOIClinical impact of neutropenia related with the preemptive therapy of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients.
Martín-Gandul C, Pérez-Romero P*, González-Roncero FM, Berdaguer S, Gómez MA, Lage E, Sánchez M, Cisneros JM, Cordero E; Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases REIPI. Clinical impact of neutropenia related with the preemptive therapy of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients. J Infect. 2014 Nov;69(5):500-6.
PUBMED DOIViral load, CMV-specific T-cell immune response and cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients at higher risk for cytomegalovirus infection during preemptive therapy.
Martín-Gandul C, Pérez-Romero P*, Blanco-Lobo P, Benmarzouk-Hidalgo OJ, Sánchez M, Gentil MA, Bernal C, Sobrino JM, Rodríguez-Hernández MJ, Cordero E; Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI). Viral load, CMV-specific T-cell immune response and cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients at higher risk for cytomegalovirus infection during preemptive therapy. Transpl Int. 2014 Oct;27(10):1060-8.
PUBMED DOIHCV eradication with IFN-based therapy does not completely restore gene expression in PBMCs from HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.
9. Brochado O, Martínez I (*), Berenguer J, Medrano L, González-García J, Jiménez-Sousa MA, Carrero A, Hontañón V, Navarro J, Guardiola JM, Pérez-Latorre L, Micán R, Fernández-Rodríguez A (‡), Resino S (* ‡). HCV eradication with IFN-based therapy does not completely restore gene expression in PBMCs from HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:23 (A; FI= 12.77; D1, Medicine, Research & Experimental; JCR 2021).
PUBMED DOIDynamics of HIV Reservoir and HIV-1 Viral Splicing in HCV-Exposed Individuals after Elimination with DAAs or Spontaneous Clearance.
Martínez-Román P, Crespo-Bermejo C, Valle-Millares D, Lara-Aguilar V, Arca-Lafuente S, Martín-Carbonero, Ryan P, De los Santos I, López-Huertas MR, Palladino C, Muñoz-Muñoz M, Fernández-Rodríguez A*, Coiras M, Briz V, on behalf of COVIHEP network. Dynamics of HIV Reservoir and HIV-1 Viral Splicing in HCV-Exposed Individuals after Elimination with DAAs or Spontaneous Clearance. Journal of Clinical Medicine 2022, 11: 3579.
PUBMED DOIProtein Saver® cards: the best alternative for DBS storage at room temperature for HCV RNA.
Arca-Lafuente S, Casanueva-Benítez C, Crespo-Bermejo C, Lara-Aguilar V, Martín-Carbonero L, De los Santos I, Madrid R, Briz V*. Protein Saver® cards: the best alternative for DBS storage at room temperature for HCV RNA. 903 Scientific Report 2022, 12: 10124.
PUBMED DOIDiarrhoea-causing enteric protist species in intensively and extensively raised pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Southern Spain. Part II: Association with Hepatitis E virus susceptibility.
Rivero-Juarez A, Dashti A, Santín M, George, Köster PC, Lopez-Lopez P, Risalde MA, García-Bocanegra I, Gomez-Villamandos JC, Caballero-Gómez J, Frías M, Bailo B, Ortega S, Muadica AS, Calero-Bernal R, González-Barrio D, Rivero A, Briz V*, Carmena D. Diarrhoea-causing enteric protist species in intensively and extensively raised pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Southern Spain. Part II: Association with Hepatitis E virus susceptibility. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2021, 69: e1172-e1178.
PUBMED DOIHepatitis C virus influences HIV-1 viral splicing in coinfected patients.
Martínez-Román P, López-Huertas MR, Crespo-Bermejo C, Arca-Lafuente S, Cortegano I, Valle-Millares D, Gaspar ML, Martín-Carbonero, Domínguez-Domínguez L, Ryan P, De los Santos I, De la Fuente Moral S, Fernández-Rodríguez A, Coiras M, Briz V, on behalf of COVIHEP. Hepatitis C virus influences HIV-1 viral splicing in coinfected patients. J Clin Med 2020, 9 (7): 2091.
PUBMED DOIrotist enteroparasites in wild boar (Sus scrofa ferus) and black Iberian pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) in southern Spain: a protective effect on hepatitis E acquisition?
Rivero-Juárez A, Dashti A, López-López P, Salimo Muadica A, Risalde MA, Köster PC, Machuca I, Bailo B, Hernández de Mingo M, Dacal E, García-Bocanegra I, Saugar JM, Calero-Bernal R, González-Barrio D, Rivero A, Briz V, Carmena D. Protist enteroparasites in wild boar (Sus scrofa ferus) and black Iberian pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) in southern Spain: a protective effect on hepatitis E acquisition? Parasites & Vectors 2020, 13: 281
PUBMED DOIContent with Investigacion .
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Leticia Bernal Martínez
Staff Scientist
ORCID code: 0000-0002-1694-5522
Dr. Bernal-Martínez obtained her degree in Biochemistry from the University of Zaragoza in 2005. She joined the Mycology Reference and Research Laboratory (LRIM) in 2006 under a trainee contract and completed her PhD within the Official Doctoral Program in Microbiology and Parasitology at the Complutense University of Madrid, defending her thesis in 2010 with highest honors (Cum Laude). In 2007, she continued her research activity at LRIM within the framework of the Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI). In 2016, she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Promotion and Management of International Projects (Technical University of Madrid) and undertook a research stay at the Microbiology and Infection Research Domain, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho (Braga, Portugal). She was subsequently appointed as a PhD researcher within the Biomedical Research Networking Center in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC). Since 2024, she serves as Specialist Scientist at the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) and is responsible for the Diagnostic and Serology Section for Endemic Fungi at the Mycology Reference and Research Laboratory.
Dr. Bernal-Martínez has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications and two book chapters. She has actively participated in over 12 research projects and has presented her work at numerous national and international scientific conferences. Her research has focused on human fungal infections, antifungal resistance, therapeutic drug monitoring, genetic variants associated with antifungal metabolism, and the identification of predictive biomarkers of invasive fungal infections. However, her primary expertise lies in the diagnostic field, particularly in the design, optimization, and validation of real-time PCR–based methodologies.
She is currently Principal Investigator of a research project aimed at improving current diagnostic techniques for invasive fungal infections, evaluating emerging diagnostic technologies, and studying primary fungal pathogens. A substantial part of her work has been transferred to the Spanish National Health System and to research centers in Latin America. Many of the diagnostic methodologies developed have been incorporated into the official service portfolio of ISCIII. She has collaborated with multiple hospitals through research projects and clinical trials applying these technologies, as well as with the ISCIII spin-off company Micomol S.L.
Dr. Bernal-Martínez has supervised several Master’s and Undergraduate Final Degree Projects from students at the Complutense University of Madrid and the University of Alcalá. She is a member of the teaching staff of the UNED-ISCIII PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health and serves as lecturer in the Master’s Program in Public Health and Research in Infectious Diseases at the University of Alcalá. -

Laura Alcázar Fuoli
Research Scientist
Graduated in Biochemistry from the Autonomous University of Madrid and PhD in Biology from the Complutense University of Madrid in 2006. She completed her doctoral thesis at the National Center of Microbiology (CNM) under the direction of Dr. Emilia Mellado, in the study of the synthesis of Ergosterol in Aspergillus fumigatus. In 2012 Laura joined the reference laboratory in mycology with a researcher contract for the “Miguel Servet” program after having worked for three years as an associate researcher at Imperial College London. During that period his research focused on host adaptation mechanisms and virulence factors of A. fumigatus. In 2014 he obtained the position of Senior Scientist of Public Research Organizations carrying out his research work at the CNM.
List of staff
Additional Information
The research objectives focus on the areas of Bacterial Taxonomy and Microbiology in Public Health:
- Identification of pathogenic bacteria that are difficult to assign taxonomically
- Description of new species
- Study of bacterial population biology through typing
- Epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors for certain bacterial pathogens in different nosocomial/community settings.
These objectives are addressed from the perspective of polyphasic taxonomy (phenotypic and genotypic taxonomy) through the study of targets for genus/species assignment and phylogenetic analyses. The analysis of the virulome and resistome of certain species is approached from the perspective of complete genome sequencing.
Research on invasive infection by Streptococcus pyogenes and other beta-hemolytic streptococci has been carried out since 1994, through the Surveillance Program of the National Center for Microbiology. The typing of invasive S. pyogenes strains circulating in Spain includes determination of: serotype (emm-type); the genetic profile of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins; the antimicrobial resistance phenotype; and the genotypes of epidemiologically related strains and/or outbreaks.
The research objectives focus on the areas of Bacterial Taxonomy and Microbiology in Public Health:
- Identification of pathogenic bacteria that are difficult to assign taxonomically
- Description of new species
- Study of bacterial population biology through typing
- Epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors for certain bacterial pathogens in different nosocomial/community settings.
These objectives are addressed from the perspective of polyphasic taxonomy (phenotypic and genotypic taxonomy) through the study of targets for genus/species assignment and phylogenetic analyses. The analysis of the virulome and resistome of certain species is approached from the perspective of complete genome sequencing.
Research on invasive infection by Streptococcus pyogenes and other beta-hemolytic streptococci has been carried out since 1994, through the Surveillance Program of the National Center for Microbiology. The typing of invasive S. pyogenes strains circulating in Spain includes determination of: serotype (emm-type); the genetic profile of streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins; the antimicrobial resistance phenotype; and the genotypes of epidemiologically related strains and/or outbreaks.